Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Massachusetts

"The magnificent Venetian-style palazzo that houses this museum was home to ‘Mrs Jack’ Gardner herself until her death in 1924. A monument to one woman’s taste for acquiring exquisite art, the Gardner is filled with some 2500 priceless objects, primarily European, including outstanding tapestries and Italian Renaissance and 17th-century Dutch paintings. The four-story greenhouse courtyard is a tranquil oasis that alone is worth the price of admission."

"In our opinion, one of Boston's best kept secrets is the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Beyond the famed robbery which stripped this museum of 9 priceless works of art, that have still not been found, it is one of the most splendid and unique museums you will ever visit. Here's a great list of other hidden gems in the city of Boston."

"A Renaissance palace imported from Italy, stuffed with precious art by its eccentric owner, and recently greatly expanded."

"The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), located on the waterfront in Boston, is undoubtedly a gem along the Harborwalk – an inviting public walkway around the Boston Harbor with its parks, public art, seating areas, restaurants and more. Perfect for contemporary art lovers, the ICA is organized in sections: one large rotating exhibition that changes every few months, a few smaller rotating displays and its permanent collection. Each exhibit aims is distinctive and is usually themed around the work of one artist or a particular topic."

"Next is a must-visit art museum in Boston, the Institute of Contemporary Art!. When it was first founded, it was called the Boston Museum of Modern Art but has since changed its name. The mission has always stayed the same, though: educating and showcasing contemporary art to the masses."

"The Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston Diller Scofidio + Renfro Architects. Photo: Wikimedia Commons (. Our Boston architecture tour starts in the up-and-coming Seaport District of Boston, home to one of the city’s most famous art museums: The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA)."

"The Harvard Art Museums, located within the University’s grounds, includes the Fogg Art Museum, the Busch-Reisinger Museum and the Arthur M. Sackler Museum. Within these three museums there are nearly 250,000 objects to view that include all mediums and range from ancient eras to the present day. The Fogg is famous or its numerous Western paintings, sculpture, photography, prints and drawings from the middle ages to the present."

"The 2014 renovation and expansion of Harvard's art museums allowed the university's massive 250,000-piece collection to come together under one very stylish roof, designed by architect extraordinaire Renzo Piano. The artwork spans the globe, with separate collections devoted to Asian and Islamic cultures, northern European and Germanic cultures and other Western art, especially European modernism."

"In late 2014, the combined collections of the Busch-Reisinger, Fogg, and Arthur M. Sackler museums were united under one glorious, mostly…"

"Capturing the city between 1918 and 1939, this exhibition explores the nascence of modern photography through spontaneous images taken on the street or in nontraditional spaces like dance halls and brothels, and others that employ special effects created by new developing techniques. More than 100 works by incredible photographers—Ilse Bing, Lisette Model, Man Ray, Henri Cartier-Bresson, André Kertész and others—are organized thematically into groups like “The Theater of the Street” and “The Manipulated Photograph.” Feb. 15-June 8, 2014 McMullen Museum of Art, Devlin Hall 101, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, 617.552.8100. After sightseeing in local museums, hit up this city's many galleries that showcase fine art photography—and bring something home."

"Global collections include Gothic and Baroque tapestries, 16th and 17th century Italian paintings, and American paintings. Terrific special exhibits. Located on the Boston College campus."

"Designed in 1796 by famous Boston architect Charles Bulfinch, Federal-style Otis House has been through an extensive restoration based on meticulous historical and scientific research, so you will see the bright colors, fancy furnishings, and mirrored doors enjoyed by Boston's upper class in the late 1700s - early 1800s. Don't miss the fascinating architectural museum in the basement. 141 Cambridge Street, West End; Nearest T station: Red Line-Charles/MGH; 617-994-5920; www.historicnewengland.org/property/otis-house"

"A National Historic Landmark, the Harrison Gray Otis House is one of the first of the Federal style of architecture that became popular in the 18th century. Built in 1795-1796, it was designed by Charles Bulfinch for Harrison Gray Otis, a Massachusetts politician. The three-story brick house served as a family home and then later as a clinic and a boarding house."

"Otis House is a historic house museum and National Historic Landmark. It is also the last surviving mansion in Bowdoin Square in Boston’s West End neighborhood. The house museum is one of the historic sites that display items from Historic New England’s collection which includes more than 123,000 objects and 1.5 million archival materials."

"The Leventhal Map Center located in the Boston Public Library's McKim Building in Copley Square is a place to explore history, geography and world events through their collection of maps dating from the 15th century to the present. Visit their gallery and learning center FREE to view exhibitions, and Kids Map Club with puzzles, books, globes, memory games and map related activities. Visit their website at https://www.leventhalmap.org/."

":The Museum Of Bad Art (MOBA) is the world's only museum dedicated to the collection, preservation, exhibition and celebration of bad art in all its forms. Located in the basement of the Somerville Theater in Davis Square. Admission is free with a movie ticket or with a free pass from the museum, that you can ask them for on the website."

"If you buy a ticket at the Somerville Theatre, you can wander around the Museum of Bad Art for free. The museum proudly wears the title “the only museum in the world dedicated to bad art”. Its collection is entertaining, there you can find many works of bad art."

"Established in the year 2000, the Galerie d’Orsay sits in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay and is home to an extensive collection of artworks that span six centuries. While the gallery features pieces by Rembrandt, Toulouse-Lautrec, Dalí and others, it also exhibits internationally renowned living artists. Priding itself on its strong relationships with major collections and institutions throughout the world while simultaneously collaborating directly with artists’ estates, the Galerie d’Orsay consistently provides prominent exhibitions for natives and visitors of Boston."

"You might not expect to find an art gallery tucked among the shops of Newbury Street, but Galerie d’Orsay’s collection here stands out with its six centuries of art featuring works by old master, impressionist and modern artists. This haute gallery houses some exclusive painting and sculptures from the 16th to 21st centuries. Past exhibitions include D'Orsay & D'Orsay: A New Collection Inspired by their Namesake and Muse, the Musée d’Orsay, Paris; ArtWeek Boston - "Personalizing Art for Your Home" and Color & Cadence: Post-Impressionist Paintings by Samir Sammoun."

"Galleria D’Orsay is one place where you can find the finest artworks in the city. The gallery offers a wide collection of six centuries of art begging from the old masters of art to the new. Galleria D’Orsay proudly collaborates with artists and brings together various exhibitions throughout the year."

"There are quite a few seafood-and-steakhouse joints packed into the relatively small footprint of the Seaport, offering (not exactly dissimilar) high-end chain experiences. They all scratch a certain power-dining itch, to one degree or another—but Ocean Prime might be the most reliable exemplar of the genre, thanks to all that excellent turf (prime filets enhanced with Béarnaise or black truffle butter) and surf (say, butter poached lobster tails with red pepper cream). Fine cocktails flow."

"This swanky hot spot located at 100 Pier Four has some of the best steak and seafood around. Offering a supper club atmosphere, enjoy such classic as shrimp cocktail, lobster tails and filet mignon. Enjoy a cocktail at their lovely outdoor patio."

"I went here for Father’s Day to celebrate my husband and the food was amazing, HOWEVER, I made an observation: All the black families were seated in the ..."

"In a town full of lobster rolls, one stands out — the warm lobster roll at Neptune’s. Though you can choose for it to be warm or cold, definitely go for the warm one. This version contains no celery or other fillers, and is dressed with drawn butter aka heaven and is served with a side of crisp fries."

"Neptune’s menu hints at Italian, but you’ll also find elements of Mexican, French, Southern and old-fashioned New England. The impressive raw bar and daily seafood specials confirm that this is not your... Bakery in West End & North End"

"James Hook isn't a seafood restaurant - it's primarily a wholesale operation that ships 50,000 pounds of lobster daily to Boston restaurants and wholesale distributors around the country. However, they do run a small retail business from a trailer where you can buy live lobsters and delicious carryout dinners. It's also one of the best - and at about $12 ($15 for large), possibly the cheapest - places to get lobster rolls in the city."

"The ice cream: There’s a reason why you’ll often find lines of eager customers waiting at Cabot’s. The longtime shop is a favorite among parents and kids alike, serving up classic sundaes, ice cream sodas, malteds and frappes. The classic diner ambience only adds to the experience."

"Restaurants Ice cream parlors. This Newton family favorite has been scooping ice cream since 1969. It feels a little older and is styled like a classic 1950s diner and ice cream parlor."

"Cabot's traditional ice cream sundae! Ice cream sundaes are my go-to dessert if I have a sweet craving, and I've been going to Cabot's since I was a kid." —Kenny Hoshino, pastry chef at Alden & Harlow and Waypoint"

"The ice cream: A favorite among Boston College students and locals, White Mountain’s menu includes a wide assortment of flavors, including classics like death by chocolate. Readers praised the parlor for its comfortable atmosphere, reasonable prices and quality flavors (particularly their cookie monster, which is reportedly chock full of cookies). What our readers said: “Homely small-town vibe, despite being so close to the city, exceptional waffle cones."

"Admit it, BC kids — you’ve risked your life running across Comm Ave for a scoop of Cookie Monster at least once. Creamy vanilla ice cream, cookie dough, and Oreos… White Mountain Creamery’s signature flavor is the perfect combo to get you through those hot few weeks at the beginning and end of the year."